Validity of daily energy expenditure estimated by calorie counter combined withaccelerometer

Abstract

To estimate a reasonable and convenient method for the assessment of daily energy expenditure in workers, the validity of a calorie counter combined with an accelerometer (Kenz Calorie Counter) was tested during treadmill exercise. Ten male and female students each volunteered for exercise on a treadmill at different running speeds: 9 speeds at 2 to 10 km/h each for male subjects; 8 speeds at 2 to 9 km/h each for female subjects. Energy expenditure measured with respiratory gas analysis was compared with that estimated by the calorie counter outfitted on the waist of the subjects. For running speed slower than 9 km/h, the work intensity reading on the calorie counter increased in direct proportion to the speed of the treadmill. The correlation between running speed and the work intensity reading of the calorie counter was linear up to 8 km/h (y=0.95x-0.2, r=0.96, P<0.001). A linear relationship during treadmill exercise (at a speed of less than 9 km/h) was also established between energy consumption measured by respiratory gas analysis and that estimated from the calorie counter (y=1.00x+11.7,r=0.94, P<0.001). Thus, we validated the usefulness of the calorie counter for the assessment of energy expenditure during daily physical activities.